I wrote the following to our daughter on the occasion of her 21st Birthday ….
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The years have gone by so quickly since you were born, and in that time, I have been remiss in advising, counselling and guiding you through the pitfalls of life.
It’s always assumed that Wisdom is the prerogative of age, would that it were so. And yet there are things which I believe, inherently, to be right actions and which may help you through life’s more difficult moments. Each is – in itself – a trite statement, but it is the only wisdom that I have thus far learned during my lifetime.
1] “THIS ABOVE ALL THINGS, TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE”.
Believe in your own genius. Never be swayed by the opinion[s] of others who suggest that you will never achieve your private and personal goals, or who attempt – often with the best of motives, but more often through lack of personal ability, strength or courage – to incline you to their view of the world. Be loyal to your friends and family, but never at the expense of loyalty to your own view of your world and how you want it to be.
2] DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU–
Right actions bring their own reward. Revenge, jealousy and hatred have a cancerous effect which ultimately destroy those who harbor such emotions. Forgive or – at least – Forget those who cause you pain and hurt. Life is far to short to waste time with unproductive and petty emotions. SMILE AND FORGET – old Navy proverb.
3] IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, TRY AND ENSURE THAT IT‘S FUN.
Work, as some wit once said, is only a four-letter word. And it’s very much a truism that the more that you enjoy what it is that you do the better that you become at it. If you cease to enjoy what you’re doing then change direction and do something else – after carefully thinking through the alternatives.
4] . “DON’T CRY OVER SPILT MILK”
Never have regrets. The past can never be changed by wasteful yearnings. Our present actions are the only control which we are able to exercise over our future happiness. So don’t waste the joy of to-day with regrets of what might have been had you acted differently~
5] NEVER LOSE THE WONDER OF CHILDHOOD.
There is magic in the world and it’s waiting for you alone to discover it. Your mind is a phenomenon that only You and your God can know.
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Darling. I wish that I could offer you more in the way of advice and wisdom, but the more that I learn the less, I realise, that I know.
Have a very Happy Birthday, Darling; and – more importantly – a happy and joy filled life.
—ENDS—
Categories: General
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